Can opener



19411. J. J. CESNICK 2,264,929

CAN OPENER Fileq-May 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor JOHN JosEPH CEs/wc B4 2mm Attorney J. J. CESNICK CAN OPENER Filed- May 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A iiorneys Patented Dec. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES BPATENT OFFICE I CAN OPENER John Joseph Oesnick, Midland, Md. Application May 28, 1940, Serial No. 337,715

1 Claim. (CI. 30-10) This invention relates to can openers, and has for the primary object the provision of a device of this character which is especially adapted for opening cans by puncturing a pair of openings therein in one operation, one of the openings being for pouring the contents and the other opening for venting the can to facilitate the pouring of the contents, the opening of the can as specified by the device may be carried out easily and quickly by a person with perfect safety and without danger of spilling the contents.

With these and other objectsein view as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a can opener constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation illustrating the device, showing the different positions that the operating lever and the cutting elements carried thereby may be arranged for opening cans of different sizes.

Figure 3 is a top plan view illustrating the device.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, illustrating a portion of the operating lever and the can opening elements carried thereby.

rest l2 the ear 1 will act as a spacer to properly position the can for action thereon by cutting or puncturing elements l6 and H. The elements l6 and H are arranged in pairs with the elements of each pair extending from opposite sides of the lever. The lever is bent from a single piece of stock, as clearly shown in Figure 1, to form parallel portions l8 between which is riveted or otherwise secured a plate I9 on which the puncturing elements l6 and I! are formed or secured. The puncturing elements I! are arranged slightly out of alignment with each other. In other words, one of the elements i I is located closer to the puncturing element l6 than the other puncturing element H for the purpose of permitting the device to act on cans of difierent sizes.

In operation, depending on what size can is to be opened, the lever II is mounted either on the ear 9 or ear 8 for pivotal movement, as shown in Figure 2. The lever is swung downwardly so that the puncturing elements disposed lowermost will enter the can and form in the top thereof spaced openings, one of which will provide a pouring opening while the other opening acts to vent the can. The puncturing elements It are each in the form of a tapering tooth while the puncturing elements I! each-are in the form of a pointed spike. Consequently, the puncturing elements l6 and I! will form different shaped openings in the can. The opening formed by the puncturing element It will be of an elongated shape so as to permit the contents to readily flow therethrough while the opening formed by the element II will Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a, be substantially circular sufficient in size to permodification of this invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates a vertically arranged supporting plate having openings 6 adjacent the ends thereof to receive screws or like fasteners for securing the plate on a support. Formed on one face of the supporting plate 5 and arranged in vertical alignment are spaced ears I, 8 and 9. The ears 8 and 9 are apertured to receive a removable pivot l0 used for connecting an operating lever II to either of said ears for pivotal movement.

The ear I has secured thereto a horizontally arranged rest I2 preferably constructed of a pair of angle iron plates i3 arranged in close relation and secured on the ear I. Extending laterally from the sides of the rest are restraining arms l4 having upstanding ends l5 for the purpose of preventing a can from slipping off of the rest l2 during the use of the device. As will be seen from mit atmospheric air to enter the can for venting purposes.

Referring to the modified form of this invention, as shown in Figure 5, the attaching plate 0 is indicated by the character 20 and has an opening 2| adjacent its up er end to receive a fastener for securing the supporting plate on a support. The supporting plate has formed thereon the ears 8 and 9 to which the operating lever I! may be pivoted. A substantially U-shaped member 22 is formed on the supporting plate below the ear 8 to act as an abutment or stop to be engaged by the can when positioned on a horizontal portion or rest 23 to properly place the can for action thereon by the puncturing elements. The rest 23 forms an integral part of the supporting plate 20 and is arranged at right angles thereto. A member 24 having an ofiset portion receives the rest 23 and projects beyond opposite edges with Figures 1 and 2 when the can is arranged on the 5 upturned ends 25. The member '24 and its upturned ends act to retain a can on the rest 23.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodimefit of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. K

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

In a can opener, a vertically arranged-supporting plate, a lever pivoted on said plate. ascan opening means carried by said lever, a vertically arranged elongated ear located below said lever and having one vertical edge thereo! integral with the front race of said Plate Positioning the car at right anglestothe platetoact asa canstoptor limiting the positioning of the can beyond the path of movement of said means in the direction oi the supporting plate, closely related angle iron members secured on opposite sides of said ear and extending horizontally from the supporting plate to provide a rest for the can. and retaining arm secured to said members and extending from opposite sides of the-rest and including upturned ends. said arms coacting with the rest in supporting the can on the upturned ends preventing shifting of the can transversely of the rest.

JOHN JOSEPH CESNICK. 

